I dinged it, not just cosmetic.

[bassmonkey]

Hi guys,

My Teal Pearl Bongo fell off the guitar stand yesterday. It took a chip out of the finish of the underside of the neck along the edge of the fingerboard down to the rosewood. I am not really that bothered about the cosmetic aspect of this, chips and scratches happen. However, there is a rough area now between 3rd and 4th fret which I feel as my hand slides up and down the neck. It is really bugging the heck out of me. Anyone know how to fill this in so it is smooth?

Oh yeah, guys, check my profile, I'm in the UK, so sending it to SLO to have them do the work isn't an option, unfortunately.

 

[Disquieter]

nail polish, slowly build it up to be level.

or else sand the whole neck to the wood. (someone did this, pics?)

 

[bassmonkey]

nail polish, slowly build it up to be level.

This has acetone as the solvent, right? If it got on the neck would it not strip the paint? I'd be careful, but stuff runs.

 

[adouglas]

Pics?

If it's a real, deep gouge, perhaps some sort of filler might be more appropriate, e.g. sawdust mixed with epoxy....

 

[bassmonkey]

Pics?

If it's a real, deep gouge, perhaps some sort of filler might be more appropriate, e.g. sawdust mixed with epoxy....

I'll take some at lunch time. Not a real gouge, just the finish has been removed. I can definitely notice it when I am playing though. Really puts me off.

 

[adouglas]

The thing is, if you don't make it perfectly smooth and level, you're always going to feel something.

Therefore you must fill the scratch with something that is of similar hardness to the original finish, then sand it down level using increasingly fine abrasives. It seems likely that this would also involve a refinish of the neck, since in order to get it totally level you must by definition take some of the surrounding finish off. Not necessarily down to the bare wood, but I think it'd show. But then, I'm not a luthier...just thinking about what makes sense.

If you use someting harder than the original finish, then it'll remain while the finish around it is abraded and you'll wind up with a high spot.

Perhaps a call to CS for advice on what to use might be in order.

 

[bassmonkey]

The thing is, if you don't make it perfectly smooth and level, you're always going to feel something.

Therefore you must fill the scratch with something that is of similar hardness to the original finish, then sand it down level using increasingly fine abrasives. It seems likely that this would also involve a refinish of the neck, since in order to get it totally level you must by definition take some of the surrounding finish off. Not necessarily down to the bare wood, but I think it'd show. But then, I'm not a luthier...just thinking about what makes sense.

If you use someting harder than the original finish, then it'll remain while the finish around it is abraded and you'll wind up with a high spot.

Perhaps a call to CS for advice on what to use might be in order.

Good idea on the CS call, I'll do it when they are awake(Is it 8 hours behind the UK in Cali?). It is sort of a jagged feel to it, it don't mind the ding it is the feel. If it were smoother I would be happy. perhaps this post will make more sense when I have posted a pic.

 

[bassmonkey]

Okay, so here's the damage.

 

[silverburst]

The pic really makes your point. That would really bug me when I was playing.

I would try the nail poilsh trick. At least it would be smoother around the edges.

 

[bassmonkeee]

My suggestion:

• Tape off the fretboard.
• Use Super/Crazy Glue to fill the area missing finish.
• Wet sand the glue level with the finish
• buff out the whole thing.

Of course, if you sand too much, you'll wear through to the wood. Then, you have to get extreme. I'd post pictures of "extreme," but I don't appear to have them online anywhere. I'll post when I get home...



Your best bet, though, is to call Jon Guitarz and talk to him. Of course, he might show up in here, too.

 

[bassmonkey]

My suggestion:

• Tape off the fretboard.
• Use Super/Crazy Glue to fill the area missing finish.
• Wet sand the glue level with the finish
• buff out the whole thing.

Of course, if you sand too much, you'll wear through to the wood. Then, you have to get extreme. I'd post pictures of "extreme," but I don't appear to have them online anywhere. I'll post when I get home...



Your best bet, though, is to call Jon Guitarz and talk to him. Of course, he might show up in here, too.

That sounds like a good plan Jason. I have some superglue in my kitchen. I'll also call CS too. What time is it in SLO?

 

[bassmonkeee]

That sounds like a good plan Jason. I have some superglue in my kitchen. I'll also call CS too. What time is it in SLO?

It's a little after 6am right now, PST.

 

[adouglas]

The good news is that it didn't affect the painted finish on the back of the neck, so you need not worry about that.

Mask the painted surface as well as the fretboard, and you ought to be fine*.

Also check out Stewart-MacDonald, a really cool US-based luthier supply company. Lots of great info...

Stewart-MacDonald: Everything for building and repairing stringed instruments!



*This information does not come from an expert or a person with any actual experience, and is worth every penny you're paying for it.

 

[Big Poppa]

We can send you an exchange neck...Ill have Jon or Dudley give you the real fix if that is what you want also.....

 

[adouglas]

YoudaMAN!

 

[bassmonkey]

We can send you an exchange neck...Ill have Jon or Dudley give you the real fix if that is what you want also.....

Wow! That is such a kind offer. I'm a little choked by it, above and beyond the call of duty.

The neck is fine and perfectly playable other than the little ding and TBH I really couldn't face being parted from this bass while waiting for the new neck. I'll take the offer of the fix though.